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Practice Areas
- Business Exit Planning & Succession
- Local News and Information
- Mediation For Estates and Trusts
- The System For Protecting Your Assets for Your Self and Your Heirs
- Asset Protection
- Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning
- Protecting Heirs from Divorce and Litigation
- Wills and Trusts
- Executor, Trustees and Probate
- Elder Law Trusts, Contracts, Checklists and Solutions
- Ideas and Information That Make Life Better
Blog 
Wills, Trusts, and Estates in Pennsylvania 
- A Failed Family Limited Partnership
- Mitt Romney’s Tax Return and Estate Planning Strategies of The Rich and Famous That Matter To You
- Your Worst Nightmare…… A Bad Executor
- Using the MIDGT To Take Advantage of Long Term Care Expense Deductions
- Estate Tax Portability: Why More People Than Ever Will File Estate Tax Returns in 2011 and 2012
Local News and Information
The System For Protecting Your Assets for Your Self and Your Heirs
- Estate Planning - The Issues and Strategies For Families With Minor Children
- 529 Plans The Top Five Reasons
- Protecting Your Estate and Wealth: Do You Rush in Or Go Slow as Markets "Recover"?
- Family Finances - Should You Be Doing Things Differently?
- The FLP So Good - But Not For Your Personal Use
- Frequently Asked Questions About Pour Over wills, A handwritten Will, and Who Should Be Executor?
- Pennsylvania Attorney Recognised For Work In Estae Planning For Families
- Estate Planning and Family Communications Skills Avoiding Trouble Achieving Success
Asset Protection
- What You Need to Know about Beneficiary Designations
- The Family Limited Patnership In Estate and Business Planning
- Asset Protection Of Bank Accounts - It's Not All About The Signature Card
- Tiger Woods, Prenuptials and Estate Planning For Second Marriages
- When It Comes To Bank and Investment Accounts Less Can Be More
- Is An IRA Still Protected From Creditors After The New Florida Case?
- Protecting Yourself from Uninsured Drivers
- Money In Your Mattress? Another Reason To Worry.....
- Off Shore Accounts: Do You Need One? Are They Legal?
- Using Family Limited Partnerships
Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning
- Should I Make Gifts Now As Part Of My Estate Planning?
- Quick Review of The Federal Estate and Gift Tax Changes for 2011 and 2012
- Own A Business or Corporation? Upgrade Your Estate Planning To Business Class
- The Federal Estate Tax and your Will or Trust - the War and the Uncertainty continue
- Why You Might Need A Power of Attorney FROM Your College Aged Kids
- The Federal Estate Tax And John Kluge - No Estate Tax For Those Dying in 2010
- Federal Estate Tax News For Pennsylvanians
- Estate Tax News: Pressure on Congress To Act On The Federal Estate Tax
- Almost half of American Households Pay No Income Tax
- What Life Insurance Salesmen Are Saying About Estate Taxes Behind Your Back?
Protecting Heirs from Divorce and Litigation
- Ever Wanted To Do A GRAT to Save Estate Taxes? They Might Not Work Soon
- Disinheriting a Beneficiary - Know How To Minimize the Threat of A Will Contest
- The Obamas Are Saving For College. How Are They Doing It?
- Protecting Your Heirs From divorce and Lawsuits
- I Love My Kids' Spouses....but What Parents Can Do To Protect Their Heirs From Divorce
Wills and Trusts
- Contesting A Will or Estate Plan Under Pennsylvania Law
- Estate Planning For Second Marriages and Blended Families
- Understanding Critical Trust Language
- Why Do Wealthy Never Own Life Insurance Outright?
- Does Your Will Have The Right Stuff When It Comes To Your "Stuff"
- Make Sure Your Will is Up To Date-Who Wants Family Drama?
- Find Out What Trust Lawyers Know About Trusts That You Don't
- What To Do About Tricky Trusts
- How To Choose A Trustee: Trustee vs. Corporate Trustee
- Spring Break To Do's- Get a Power Of Attorney For Your College Student
Executor, Trustees and Probate
- Executor of A Pennsylvania Estate? Video Resources, Fees, Disputes, Mistakes and Duties of An Executor
- Pennsylvania Trustee Mistake # 10 - Failing To Do The Job Of Trustee
- Pennsylvania Trustee Mistake # 9 - Failing To Understand The Role of Multiple Trustees
- Pennsylvania Trustee Mistake # 8 - Failing To File Tax Returns Or To Seek Professional Assistance
- Pennsylvania Trustee Mistake # 7 - Failure To Properly Reform, Amend, or Terminate
- Pennsylvania Trustee Mistake # 6 - Failing To Communicate Properly
- Pennsylvania Trustee Mistake # 5- Failing To Conform To The Principle And Income Act
- Pennsylvania Trustee Mistake # 4- Failing To Follow The Uniform Trust Act
- Avoiding Pennsyvlania Trustee Mistakes # 3 Failing to Follow The Prudent Investor Rule
- Pennsylvania Trustee Mistake #1 - Failing To Understand The Trust Language
Elder Law Trusts, Contracts, Checklists and Solutions
Ideas and Information That Make Life Better
- Our Mac and Cheese Recipe
- More Resources For Financial and Estate Planning
- Update Your Tax Software for Savings and Protection
Resources For Clients and Readers
- Income TaxDeadline Is Near For 2010 Filings
- Financial Tip: Great Finanicial News and Information Wesite
- 2010 Useful Ideas For The New Year and Beyond
Leaving A Lasting Legacy (TM) Family Wealth
TAXES and News
- The Federal Estate Tax Morass Continues - What Do You Do With Your Pennsylvania Estate Plan?
- Another Federal Estate Tax Bill Is Dead - What Should You Do Now?
- Senate Action Urged on Federal Estate Tax
- Congress Is Moving Toward Eliination of Short Term GRATs
- Another View From Pennsylvania on The Federal Estate Tax and You
- Real Ideas and Information on An Estate Tax Situation that is Crazy
- Great Review Of New Year Estate Planning Issues and Dangers
- Forget the Federal Etate Tax - According To Russia We Have Bigger Problems
- Married To A Wealthy Spouse? Under the New Law You Might Find Yourself Disinherited
- Quick Overview of Estate Tax News and Analysis of How Estate Tax Now Affects You
Information For Retired Pennsylvanians
- What Happens In A Nursing Home When Your Not There?
- New Tax Benefits for Retired Pennsylvania Residents
Family Communications Skills
General
- New Video Reveals The Most Overlooked Estate Planning Document
- Returning or Starting College: Essential Legal Documents For Your Children
- Executors and Safe Deposit Boxes in Pennsylvania
- How Would You Like Your Lawyer To Keep Your New Year's Resolution (On Estate Planning)
- Dave Frees, The Dalai Lama and a Billionaire
- Welcome to the David Frees estate Trust and Asset Protection Blog
- Enhanced Communications - Planning Is Not Just About Taxation
News
- Posted on 2/3/2012A Family Limited Partnership Failure
- Posted on 9/26/2011Better Mediation of Estate, Custody and Commercial Disputes - Mediator and Attorney David Frees To Teach
- Posted on 9/22/2011Saving The Family Relationship and Estate- Dave Frees Lectures On Estate Mediation
- Posted on 8/2/2011Guardians In Action
- Posted on 5/15/2011Should We Bury The Estate Tax?
Library
- Local News and Information
- The System For Protecting Your Assets for Your Self and Your Heirs
- Asset Protection
- Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning
- Protecting Heirs from Divorce and Litigation
- Wills and Trusts
- Executor, Trustees and Probate
- Elder Law Trusts, Contracts, Checklists and Solutions
- Ideas and Information That Make Life Better
- Selecting A Will or Estate Planning Attorney
- Ethical Lawyer Marketing
- General
Pennsylvania Estate Planning, Trust, and Executor and Probate Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Initially, many of our clients come to us with the same questions about: estate planning, being an executor, and about protecting their assets, estate, or inheritance in Pennsylvania. This estate law frequently asked questions page is meant to answer the most common questions we hear from clients each day and to help others build a foundation of knowledge about Pennsylvania estate planning, being an executor in Pennsyvlania, elder law, trust law, and asset protection.Do you have a question for us about Pennsylvania estate law that you do not see answered below? Contact us today to talk to an experienced lawyer about your legal needs or email your question to David Frees dfrees@utbf.com.
The System For Protecting Your Assets for Your Self and Your Heirs
Asset Protection
- What is "Asset Protection"?
- Doesn't holding my assets in joint names protect them from my creditors or from lawsuits?
- How do I use a trust to protect assets in the event that I need nursing home care?
Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning
- How much is the annual gift tax exclusion?
- How much can I give away during my lifetime?
- What taxes affect estate planning?
- Does the federal estate tax apply to me?
- What is the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax?
Wills and Trusts
- Which is Better The Will or Revocable Living Trust? The probate vs. non probate debate continues.
- If we have a child named as a beneficiary of an account or POD (Pay On Death) and that child goes into bankruptcy, can our assets be taken away?
- Will I save estate taxes by creating a revocable trust?
- Do I give up control to my trustee if I create a revocable or living trust?
- Can my spouse and I do one revocable trust for both of us?
- What is a pour-over will?
- Is a safety deposit box frozen at death under Pennsylvania law?
Executor, Trustees and Probate
- How much can an executor charge for an estate in Pennsylvania?
- How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?
- As an Executor, how do you make sure a handwritten will is authentic?
- In your Estate Planning how do you choose an Executor?
- What is probate?
- How long does probate take?
- Should we try to avoid Probate in Pennsylvania?
- Are assets "frozen" during the probate process?
Elder Law Trusts, Contracts, Checklists and Solutions
- Can family members be paid for providing care to an elderly parent or relative without disqualifying them from long term care under medicaid?
- I have a revocable living trust. Does that protect my ssets from a nursing home spend down?
New Laws That Might Affect You
Special Needs Trusts
General
- How much can I give to a grandchild each year for federal gift tax purposes?
- Do I need to change my bank and investment accounts for the revocable trust?
David M. Frees III, Esquire has been named as the Main Line Today Magazine Top Lawyer in the Trusts and Estate area. He has also been awarded the title of Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Philadelphia Magazine. David Frees focuses his practice in the areas of trust and estate planning, probate, asset protection and related topics. David's firm also has an Elder Law section providing services to families and individuals trying to protect assets from nursing home expenditures and the issues facing the elderly. David can be reached at 610-933-8069 for a personal or telephone consultation to update a will, trust, or comprehensive estate plan. He always quotes a flat fee for such estate planning services and you will recieve a complimentary consultation by mentioning this blog. dfrees@utbf.com    Note: There are no recognized specialties under Pennsylvania law. Furthermore, while David has been named as a Top Lawyer and Super Lawyer, these titles are not recognized under Pennsylvania law. However, David does emphasize trusts, estate, and related topics in his practice. |
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Phone: (610) 933-8069
Fax: (610) 240-9323
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Malvern
116 E. King St.
Malvern, PA 19355
Phone: (610) 240-0750
Fax: 610-240-9323
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P.O. Box 515
West Chester, PA 19381
Phone: (610) 933-8069
Fax: 610-240-9323
See David by Appointment call 610-933-8069 For David Frees
Get Directions
Offices
Offices
Phoenixville
120 Gay St.
Phoenixville, PA 19460
Phone: (610) 933-8069
Fax: (610) 240-9323
Regular Business Hours
Malvern
116 E. King St.
Malvern, PA 19355
Phone: (610) 240-0750
Fax: 610-240-9323
By Appointment
West Chester
17 W. Gay St.
P.O. Box 515
West Chester, PA 19381
Phone: (610) 933-8069
Fax: 610-240-9323
See David by Appointment call 610-933-8069 For David Frees
Videos
Local News and Information:
Mediation For Estates and Trusts:
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney on Attorney Meeting
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney On How They Can Help
The System For Protecting Your Assets for Your Self and Your Heirs:
- Will an In Terrorum Clause Prevent Challenges to My Will or Trust?
- How Much Uninsured Motorist Coverage Do I Need?
- Pennsylvania Estate Attorney Explains How Asset Protection Covers a Wide Range of Strategies
- Protecting Your Heirs From Divorce or Lawsuits
- Enhanced Estate Planning 1 - What is It? Why Do it? How?
Asset Protection:
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney On Asset Protection
- How Can I Protect My Assets with an Umbrella Policy?
- Pennsylvania Asset Protection Attorney: Protects Businesses & Assets
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney Says A Team of Advisers Can Help You Diversify & Protect Money
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney Says Build Your Team
Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning:
- Does Owning a Business Impact Estate Planning in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney End of Year Changes
- Inheritance Tax? Pennsylvania Estate Planning Lawyer Explains
- How Much Will My Estate be Taxed and Can I Avoid Taxes? PA Estate Planning Lawyer Answers
- Beneficiary Controlled Trusts
Protecting Heirs from Divorce and Litigation:
- What Happens To My Inheritance If My Son or Daughter Gets a Divorce?
- PA Lawyer Explains Leaving Your Estate to Children
- Pennsylvania Estate Attorney Discusses How To Protect Your Heirs From Losing Their Inheritance In A Divorce
- Divorce Protection For Your Heirs - The Quick and Dirty Need To Know
- Using The Beneficary Controlled Trust to Protect Your Heirs
Wills and Trusts:
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney On Updating Your Will
- Is Everything You Know About Estate Planning Wrong?
- Why Should I Plan My Will, Trust or Estate Now?
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney on Wills and Trusts
- Pennsylvania Attorney Talks About Cost Effective Estate Planning
Executor, Trustees and Probate:
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Lawyer On Resources for Executors
- Should I Be Paid To Be An Executor in Pennsylvania?
- Will the State of Pennsylvania Step In When a Relative Passes Away?
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Lawyer Wrote Book for Executors
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Attorney on Paying Too Much
Elder Law Trusts, Contracts, Checklists and Solutions:
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Lawyer On Elder Law
- Pennsylvania Elder Law Attorney On Nursing Homes
- Common Mistakes in Estate Planning Explained by PA Elder Law Attorney
- Elder Law Explained by Pennsylvania Lawyer
- Pennsylvania Lawyers Prove Successful in Elder Law Cases
Ideas and Information That Make Life Better:
Family Communications and Dynamics:
General:
- Pennsylvania Estate Attorney Discusses Help in Other States
- Pennsylvania Estate Planning Lawyer On Why He’s an Attorney
- An Easy and Free Way to Get Important Information about Sophisticated Estate Planning
- Exclusive Access To Our Informative Video Library about Sophisticated Estate Planning
- Sophisticated Estate Planning Advice From Dave Frees
FAQs
The System For Protecting Your Assets for Your Self and Your Heirs
Asset Protection
- What is "Asset Protection"?
- Doesn't holding my assets in joint names protect them from my creditors or from lawsuits?
- How do I use a trust to protect assets in the event that I need nursing home care?
Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning
- How much is the annual gift tax exclusion?
- How much can I give away during my lifetime?
- What taxes affect estate planning?
Wills and Trusts
- Which is Better The Will or Revocable Living Trust? The probate vs. non probate debate continues.
- If we have a child named as a beneficiary of an account or POD (Pay On Death) and that child goes into bankruptcy, can our assets be taken away?
- Will I save estate taxes by creating a revocable trust?
Executor, Trustees and Probate
- How much can an executor charge for an estate in Pennsylvania?
- How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?
- As an Executor, how do you make sure a handwritten will is authentic?
Elder Law Trusts, Contracts, Checklists and Solutions
- Can family members be paid for providing care to an elderly parent or relative without disqualifying them from long term care under medicaid?
- I have a revocable living trust. Does that protect my ssets from a nursing home spend down?